Daily discussion thread....

bhjones1980 · August 2014

with all the world news of politics, religion, healthcare crisis... let's explore a dicussion on what is REALLY important, the right (or not) to recline your seat on a plane.

https://www.cnn.com/2014/08/26/travel/united-flight-knee-defender/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

discuss....

jaztastic · August 2014

Well this is surely an interesting story. An airplane seat reclines what? maybe 3-6 inches backwards? I dont think its the end of the world and I just thought it was common courtesy to either ask or advise the person behind you of your desire to recline.

I had no idea that recline blockers existed. But the lady throwing water in the guys face was too much.

In all, I think the people who suffer are all the other passengers on the plane that needed to be diverted. I would have been hot as fish grease, if my plane had to be diverted because some idiots got into a fight over reclining a seat.

HerHighness · August 2014

I dont care to argue the right to recline vs the right to knee room.

The airline prohibits the use of the blocker so the water soaked douchecanoe should have removed it when asked by the flight attendant. He should also have to pay for the necessary stop cause by his failure to comply with airline rules. Dont like the rules? Choose another airline.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

I think there is a special place in hell for people who recline their seats on a plane all the way.

It does make a huge difference to the comfort of the person behind you, and to not even ASK if you can recline.... ugh, that will get me salty the whole flight.

But yes, if my flight was diverted because of this fight between two grown ass adults... I would not be pleased.

jennjilljo · August 2014

Do they have the right? Yes.
Does that mean they should? No.

Reclining without a heads up or reclining all the way is super rude IMO but I blame the airline for people doing that because they made the damn seats recline so far.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

miniwheat10 said:

If I am over paying already for a crappy flight, I better get my 3 inches of recline!

But the woman in the story clearly acted like a child about it and made travel even harder for the other passengers which really sucks.

Don't you care that you are then making the crappy flight even CRAPPIER for the person behind you? It that their tough luck?

I really want to pick the brain of "seat recliners", tell me your thought process.

MissEm15 · August 2014

I recline because I'm short. Where my head hits the cushion on the top of the seat, it pushes my neck/head forward. So I have to recline to be able to even sit straight.

jaztastic · August 2014

In the spirit of keeping the multiple showers thread alive... I call all seat recliners tacky. you have no etiquette.

Gallops away on high horse.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

I am the minority I guess.... I consider the space behind me to belong to the person sitting there not mine to recline into.

the worst is when the seats go back so far you are staring at the top of the dandruffy head of the person in the seat in front of you... GAG!

bhjones1980 · August 2014

CrazyCornball said:

bhjones1980 said:

I am the minority I guess.... I consider the space behind me to belong to the person sitting there not mine to recline into.

the worst is when the seats go back so far you are staring at the top of the dandruffy head of the person in the seat in front of you... GAG!

Reclining is the only way to escape this!

thus perpetuating the cycle....

where does it STOP!?!

boxerrrmama85 · August 2014

I have two points of view on this one:
1. They were in ECONOMY COMFORT. The guy was a real dbag for blocking her from reclining. I would like to know how tall he is? (The water in his face-- ummmm a bit much?!)

2. My husband is 6'6. Seeing him on an economy seat is like seeing a clown in a clown car. He is super uncomfortable and his knees are already all the way into the seat in front of him. Any reclining leaves him in serious pain. But, you can't stop someone from reclining, but maybe asking them nicely.

jennjilljo · August 2014

CrazyCornball said:
I occasionally recline my seat if I want to sleep. I usually remember to do it when the person in front of me reclines their seat. At what point in time did it become rude to do so?

I think it's rude if you're being inconsiderate or oblivious to the needs of others around you but as long as you're self aware then it's not an issue. I feel that way about everything in life though like the people who take up a while aisle by turning their cart sideways, people who cut you off and people who walk into as though to aren't there.

bhjones1980 · August 2014

jennwilhoite said:

I occasionally recline my seat if I want to sleep. I usually remember to do it when the person in front of me reclines their seat. At what point in time did it become rude to do so?
I think it's rude if you're being inconsiderate or oblivious to the needs of others around you but as long as you're self aware then it's not an issue. I feel that way about everything in life though like the people who take up a while aisle by turning their cart sideways, people who cut you off and people who walk into as though to aren't there.

Right!! if you ask, I feel fine about you reclining in front of me.

I think common courtesy dictates being conscious of other people's comfort.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE LIVING IN A SOCIETY! - George Constanza

bhjones1980 · August 2014

boxerrrmama85 said:

I have two points of view on this one: 1. They were in ECONOMY COMFORT. The guy was a real dbag for blocking her from reclining. I would like to know how tall he is? (The water in his face-- ummmm a bit much?!)

I fly united all the time, and usually in economy plus rows, there is not that much more room, and if the person in front of you reclines more than a little you can not use a laptop or tablet easily on the tray table.

MaddScientist · August 2014

I will recline if I want to. I usually don't. But, It also never occurred to me to ask before reclining nor would I ever expect the person in front of me to ask either.

CogDis · August 2014

I think a lot of American Airlines have smaller space than air canada, which I typically fly, if I can. I also think airlines in the states tend to have seats that recline further than Air canada (although I've only flown on 3 of the airlines in the states).

I have legs as long as a typical 6'3" person and I've always managed when people put their seats back.
I do whatever I have to to be comfortable in a plane. I try to get the seats with extra leg room. And, I see reclining as a domino effect: if the person in front of you reclines then you're likely going to have to in order to obtain any level of comfort.

I tend to give peo
Typically I take strong painkillers for every flight. Especially the twice yearly 10.5 hour flight home.

PikoPiko · August 2014

I've worked with seat designers before and know these seats are for nominally sized people; the reclining feature is an attempt to cover more of the population.

I have a short torso, when the seat is not reclined, I'd be forced to sit with my back curved and head down. DH is 6'1, he also commented on the head jutting forward problem because of the head rest hitting the wrong part on him. Older planes are worse because the seat are so worn out that the back is caving in way too much.

Reclining the seat would fix this issue. I also paid for my seat, and I'm within my rights to utilize every option the plane offers to make myself comfy. If the reclining mechanism doesn't help, then I would consider paying for first class the next time I fly -- and have done so many times when I was flying a route that had shit seats. Similarly for you as the person behind, if the loss of 3 inches are crushing your legs or cause you to feel claustrophobic - and reclining your own seat doesn't help, you should consider paying more for your comfort instead of expecting the person in front to accommodate you, when they paid for their seat and all its features. Your comfort as the person behind is not a priority over my own comfort.

In addition, you don't know if the person in front of your has back problems that they can't sit straight up for long.

CogDis · August 2014

Damn! Posted by big thumbs on a small phone before I finished!

I wanted to add: I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that if they recline without any warning or without asking that it either slipped their mind or they're too preoccupied with their own pain to realize.

I think the benefit of the doubt is also part of living in a society!

bhjones1980 · August 2014

Fine, I will stand alone on this...

I hate you all!

*stalks off to sulk*

triplej9 · August 2014

I didn't give a single thought about reclining my seat on a flight until I was affected by it on a long international flight.

DH is 6'4 and the c*nt in front of him reclined her seat for the ENTIRE THIRTEEN HOUR flight. Her chair was literally touching his knees. He asked her politely if she could raise her seat just a little, and she ignored him, knowing full well how shitty she was making it for him. The flight attendant repeatedly apologized to him as he could see DH was in discomfort, but there was nothing he could do about it. To make it worse, this was on our flight home from the honeymoon.

Now, i definitely think twice about leaning my seat back.

ETA: @bhjones1980 no need to stand alone... I got your back!

Also, we were on a Delta flight. We had never flown Delta before, so I'm not sure how roomy they are compared to others!

freegiraffe · August 2014

It's never occurred to me to ask permission, nor have I ever been asked by the person in front of me. I will recline if I want to, but not all the way. If the person behind me was really uncomfortable and asked me to raise it, that wouldn't bother me either. That being said, I would probably never ask someone to raise their seat. I would just fume the whole flight and probably recline my own seat, causing a domino effect.

wendy46001 · August 2014

Add me to the list of people who recline. The seat has the ability to do it so I will, mostly because I have back issues and cant sit totally upright. Also yes I recline slightly in a car.

I've never asked the person behind me for permission to do what my seat is made to do.

Will also include that 90% of the time I'm in first/business class. Thank god for airline points/miles.

chickyclg · August 2014

I wish I knew more on this topic, but I haven't been on a plane since I was 6. They both acted like children and I personally think they should have been arrested for causing a diverted flight.

jaztastic · August 2014

@bhjones1980 I stand with you... I dont recline, unless there is no one behind me. If there is and I need to recline I will ask if they mind. But that came after my constant flying for work a few years ago. (I lived in MD, but worked in IL) Its not cool to have someone in front of you constantly reclining and de-reclining (loss for words here, someone help!!) the seat in front of you. Even on a 1hr flight. It sucks and when you fly often and it always happens you get annoyed very easily by it.

rosieo52 · August 2014

I think the woman acted childish, it's 3 inches! However the asshat behind her does not have the right to dictate who can and cannot put their seat down with his handy dandy device! If he wants that much room, get the first row, or an exit row. I recline my seat sometimes. If I see the person behind me has long legs I won't recline. The 3 inches does always do a whole lot for me anyway, so need to make someone else uncomfortable.

aggiebug · August 2014

People are crazy that is all I can say about that.

I never recline on a plane anymore except the long overseas flights on planes designed for more room. The person has every right to recline in front of me, but if they do I no longer feel guilty for kneeing their see or bumping it, I don't try to bump it but its hard not to with my long legs

bhjones1980 · August 2014

chickenhawke said:

I fly often (for work and personal travel) on United and always ALWAYS book the first row of Economy Plus at the bulkhead. I am short so I don't mind if people recline, but my husband is super tall and all legs.

If I am by myself or on an international flight - I will book First (work allows me to) or pay for the difference so that I can recline and sleep. When I upgrade, I always request the last row of First/Business because I will absolutely recline. To China or Australia, take all of my money because I want a pod.

The real argument should be over who owns the arm rest!

https://goldenrulesoftravel.com/featured/rule-3-the-middle-seat-gets-both-arm-rests-connected-to-their-seat/

I find myself upgrading to first more often these days just to avoid the stress of rude people. I will recline my seat a little in first, you come no where NEAR the person behind you, and I opt for the last row of First if it is open.

pitdigger · August 2014

So, my take on this as a regular flyer is that if you're going to recline, do it slowly. I'm short and will usually only recline about 1/2" or so if it's not a long haul flight. If it's a long haul, recline, but for the love of all that is holy and un-, sit your seat up when the meal comes around. Once the trays are taken away, have at you're recline. I generally try to see and tell people behind me that I'm going to recline only if I'm going back all the way or if it's a flight full of people on business and I think they might have a laptop.

Oh, and armrest generally goes to the person in the middle as far as I'm concerned. That person's got the shit spot. If you're three across with a window, I am willing to shift everything toward the window so the person on the aisle doesn't get bumped by people/carts (if DH and I are middle and window).

I won't fight about any of it though. It's just not worth it to me to have a shitty flight.

Cookie0875 · August 2014

I also only recline a bit because, like so many others, I'm short and if I don't recline any, my head is tucked to my chest. This is also why I try to remember to wear my hair down when flying, even though I often get hot when boarding the plane (it's a stressful situation!). It's never occurred to me to ask the person behind me though. I doubt I've ever really disturbed anyone with my slight recline, but I MAY at least give warning next time. I'm too cheap to spring for economy or first class, but I do try to get emergency exit rows for the added space!

modernfairytale8709 · August 2014

jaztastic said:

In the spirit of keeping the multiple showers thread alive... I call all seat recliners tacky. you have no etiquette.

Gallops away on high horse.

Yes! The end-all-be-all Tact Hammer has been dropped.

So it is written.

HeyStVincent · August 2014

The Onion picked up this story. God, I do love The Onion.

https://www.theonion.com/articles/knee-defender-passenger-fight-diverts-entire-plane,36783/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:1:Default

“It may have inconvenienced everyone else on the plane, but it’s still kind of inspiring that two people like this managed to find each other.”

lizjennings81 · August 2014

I don't begrudge those who recline since it doesn't seem to invade my space much, but I don't do it as a general rule. I do think it's polite to ask and feel sorry for the tall people who get squished by the mega-recliners.

As for the fight, I'm not really surprised. Everyone's an ass on airplanes these days.

HeyStVincent · August 2014

@chickenhawke - Who does own the arm rest?? And does it matter which hand you use? Us lefties get the shaft on everything - from school desks, to notebooks, to the way doors open, and most definitely when it comes to arm rests on the plane.

meepette · August 2014

I don't mind if people recline a little bit. However, I do have a problem if they recline so much that I cannot use the tray or I have to climb out of the seat. We flew from Germany to Colorado and some guy had his seat all the way back that I could not move. I asked him 3 times to raise it a little bit but he refused.

I am dreading flying from Japan to Arizona in November while 7+ months pregnant.

Lk232015 · August 2014

Totally on your side @bhjones1980‌ I think it's totally rude! My favorite scenario is when the person in front of me reclines all the way back, practically shutting my laptop. Guess i didn't actually want to use it. I don't understand people's airplane manners at all sometimes. I've never had a person in front of me ask if they could recline - I actually fly a ton too.

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